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Labour warning
The appointment of former PN insider John Camilleri to the post of PBS editorial board chairman raises the ire of Labour Leader Alfred Sant, who warns government to respect the Opposition’s democratic rights or face consequences.
Camilleri was former personal secretary to then Prime Minister Eddie Fenech Adami and PN administrative secretary.
Monday, 9 October
MLP on N. Korea
Labour’s spokesperson for foreign affairs, Leo Brincat condemns North Korea’s unilateral decision to go ahead with its first nuclear missile test and urges the rogue state to go back to the negotiating table.
Tuesday, 10 October
Shipwrecked
An oil-bunkering tanker, Golden Bay, runs aground just off the Jerma Palace Hotel in Marsaskala. The vessel, empty of any cargo at the time, sustains minor damages and is towed away for repairs after a five hour operation.
First sitting for woman judge
History is made at the law courts when newly appointed Justice Abigail Lofaro, the first woman to serve on the bench of judges, formally takes her place on the bench.
The ceremony marking her first sitting is also witnessed by President Eddie Fenech Adami, Chief Justice Vincent de Gaetano, former Presidents Ugo Mifsud Bonnici and Censu Tabone and Parliamentary Secretary Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici.
Telephony liberalised
Fixed line telephony is finally liberalised after Maltcom and Melita Cable sign to an interconnection agreement, which allows prospective fixed line Melita customers to make and receive calls to and from Maltacom subscribers.
Melita Cable is expected to roll out its fixed line telephony service shortly.
Wednesday, 11 October
Vote of confidence
GWU Secretary General Tony Zarb and the rest of his team on the union’s administration win a unanimous vote of confidence during an extraordinary general conference called in the wake of various high-profile resignations over the past few months.
The vote of confidence is taken by show of hands during the meeting at the union’s headquarters.
GRTU study
A study commissioned by the GRTU delivers an indictment on the economy, showing how the net value-added per capita in real terms was the same in 2005 as it was nine years earlier.
The study conducted by Joe Falzon from the University’s department of banking and finance finds that domestic price inflation is the most pressing macro-economic problem of the Maltese economy.
Falzon concludes that Malta has become 24.52 per cent more expensive over the last nine years but derived no economic benefit.
Historic victory
Malta registers its first football victory in a major competition for 13 years, beating Hungary 2-1 at the Ta’ Qali stadium in a group match from the European Cup qualifying stages. Andre Schembri is Malta’s hero after netting both goals.
Thursday, 12 October
Army van crashes
An army van transporting immigrants from the Safi detention centre to hospital crashes in Luqa leaving the driver suffering from serious injuries. Another five soldiers and the five immigrants suffer slight injuries.
Lotto protest
Lotto receivers stage a protest in front of the offices of Maltco, the private company that runs the lottery, closing their booths for an hour. The receivers, backed by their unions complain of what they describe as Maltco’s arrogance in its dealings with them.
The receivers claim that changes proposed by Maltco could lead to the death of lotto, a game played in Malta since 1923.
The receivers are asked to protest by the Union Haddiema Maghqudin (UHM) and the Lotto Receivers’ Union (LRU).
Friday, 13 October
Seven cruise liners
Grand Harbour is a hive of activity as seven cruise liners dock in the port with more than 8,000 tourists on board. The logistical operation to co-ordinate the berthing and transport is reported to be smooth running.
EU warns on fuel
liberalisation
The European Commission threatens Malta with legal action over the delay to liberalise the importation of fuel and end Enemalta’s monopoly.
The importation of fuel was to be fully liberalised by the beginning of this year but government had extended the deadline until the end of March.
To this day, despite the elapse of the deadline, Enemalta remains the only company in Malta licensed to import fuel products.
The Commission gives Malta two months to remedy the situation or face legal action.
PN general conference
PN leader Lawrence Gonzi opens his party’s annual general conference with a presentation of figures to illustrate what he terms as the economic and financial improvement of the country after three years of sacrifices.
Saturday, 14 October
Mgarr accident
An elderly man and his daughter are rescued after the car they are in plunges into the sea at Mgarr. The 83-year-old man reversed the vehicle off the quay.
Police say a Gozo Channel employee who saw the accident jumped into the sea and saved the two individuals. The daughter’s condition is stable but the man turns critical at hospital.
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